Low-cost urban carbon monitoring network and implications for china: a comprehensive review

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Oct;30(48):105012-105029. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-29836-4. Epub 2023 Sep 19.

Abstract

The development and renewal of gas sensor technology have enabled more and more low-cost gas sensors to form a carbon monitoring network to meet the requirements of the city. In the context of China's commitment to achieving the "double carbon" target by 2060, this paper reviews the principles of four standard gas sensors and the application of several low-cost sensors in urban carbon monitoring networks, with the aim of providing a practical reference for the future deployment of carbon monitoring networks in Chinese cities. Moreover, the types, prices, and deployment of the sensors used in each project are summarized. Based on this review, non-dispersive infrared sensors have the best performance among the sensors and are commonly used in many cities. Lots of urban climate networks in cities were summarized by many reviews in the literature, but only a few sensors were studied, and they did not consider carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors. This review focuses on the dense CO2 urban monitoring network, and some case studies are also discussed, such as Seoul and San Francisco. To address the issue of how to better ensure the balance between cost and accuracy in the deployment of sensor networks, this paper proposes a method of simultaneously deploying medium-precision and high-precision fixed sensors and mobile sensors to form an urban carbon monitoring network. Finally, the prospects and recommendations, such as different ways to mitigate CO2 and develop an entire carbon monitoring system for future urban carbon monitoring in China, are also presented.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide; Dense monitoring network; Gas sensor; Low cost; Urban carbon monitoring.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • China
  • Cities
  • Climate
  • Environmental Monitoring* / methods

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide